More menu items excluded from Dining plan?!

[crisi]

I would love to be a salesman for some of you people. I would be raking in the dough.

Those of you who are on the dining plan and think it is totally okay for Disney to make any changes it wants to the dining plan.. How would you be feeling if you went to Disney and were told that disney changed the dining plan and now all you get is a bag of chips? Sorry...Disney is allowed to change the plan to what ever they want, you can't get a refund on the plan because it's too late, and you can't sue disney because it would cost too much. It's just so ridiculous that people think this is okay.

Annie

Disney isn't going to bilk people out of a great deal of money - bad publicity and class action suits follow. They are, however, going to act in their own best interest - people aren't going to form a class action suit because they can only get the baklava at Tangerine cafe. TANSTAFL, buyer beware, and all that. Disney doesn't publish their menus, so the menus can change at any time. Enough people make a big enough stink and Disney will just remove the premium items from the menus, raise the price of the program, or turn a lot of restaurants into Signature restuarants. As a non-MYW diner, I really hope it isn't the first.

I also will carry a copy of the dining plan brochure in case any issues arise while we are on vacation. Better to be safe than sorry.

And the CM can point to the "terms and conditions subject to change at any time" line and you are back to where you started.

 

[Lewisc]

Fine but that's not what's being discussed. Consumer affairs, class action law suits and bad publicity would preclude that course of action.

OFFICIALLY since the dining plan was released the number of items that count as a snack has been increased. Le Cellier went from 2 credits to 1 credit. WS restaurants were added. DTD restaurants were added. CSR restaurants were added. All those changes are positive, particularly the addition of the WS restaurants.

UNOFFICIALLY--Most of the rumors on items not covered regard non-Disney owned restaurants not including expensive items that aren't available in Disney owned restaurants. Restaurants are not allowing add ons that were never covered. Disney may be forcing guest to use child credits to purchase child meals. Most of us feel those are either reasonable changes or reasonable interpretations of how the plan brochure was written.

On balance the changes, both official and unofficial, benefit the guests who're using the the plan as intended. The people who aren't happy are the guests who who were planning to "work the system" and exploit the loopholes.

AFAIK the credits are still being pooled. It sounds like this may change in the near future but a few emails and a rumor on tourplans really isn't really that definitive.

I would love to be a salesman for some of you people. I would be raking in the dough.

Those of you who are on the dining plan and think it is totally okay for Disney to make any changes it wants to the dining plan.. How would you be feeling if you went to Disney and were told that disney changed the dining plan and now all you get is a bag of chips? Sorry...Disney is allowed to change the plan to what ever they want, you can't get a refund on the plan because it's too late, and you can't sue disney because it would cost too much. It's just so ridiculous that people think this is okay.

Annie

 

[WDWBetsy]

I would love to be a salesman for some of you people. I would be raking in the dough.

Those of you who are on the dining plan and think it is totally okay for Disney to make any changes it wants to the dining plan.. How would you be feeling if you went to Disney and were told that disney changed the dining plan and now all you get is a bag of chips? Sorry...Disney is allowed to change the plan to what ever they want, you can't get a refund on the plan because it's too late, and you can't sue disney because it would cost too much. It's just so ridiculous that people think this is okay.

Annie

In my opinion, it's ridiculous that people are not understanding a legal disclaimer that says the dining plan is subject to change at any time.

For the most part, we're talking about World Showcase restaurants (that are NOT owned by Disney and at one time were NOT included in the plan at all) putting restrictions on what is available on the plan.

Perhaps some of you don't remember or know about the limited list of participating restaurants in Epcot. I do -- and I'm quite happy with those now offered. I don't think they will change, but again - they are not owned by Disney and could withdraw from the plan if they want to.

We're also talking about Disney putting restrictions on the plan to discourage abuse of the plan. The disclaimer offered on their website brochure fully explains they are able to change the plan at any time.

 

[Lewisc]

That's my concern. Disney will get fed up and just can the plan or gut it to a simple discount plan. You pay $35 /day and the maximum you can spend of food is $45-$50. You're right the simplest solution, at least during free dining, is for Disney to just drop the expensive menu items and sidestep the entire issue.

There is no way Disney can continue to allow $10 child credits to be used for adult meals. It gets worse when waiters allow the guests to get lobster tail and shrimp add ons. When guests try to order an adult shrimp cocktail appetizer for a child. When guests don't understand why it's ok for a restaurant to exclude a few of the more expensive items from the plan.

Enough people make a big enough stink and Disney will just remove the premium items from the menus, raise the price of the program, or turn a lot of restaurants into Signature restuarants. As a non-MYW diner, I really hope it isn't the first.



And the CM can point to the "terms and conditions subject to change at any time" line and you are back to where you started.

 

[vatmark]

I don't have a problem with not using child credits for an adult or not getting add-ons or children not being able to get an adult appetizer. I planned on using the plan as it was intended. My kids will order from the child menu,have a drink and a dessert and use their child credits. I am not asking for add-ons. I don't find it unresonable that they don't allow add-ons or children to get adult appetizers or using child credits for adults but to all of a sudden change what you can get off the menu is not right. I would not have purchased the dining plan if that was the case. As someone else pointed out...I will not know until the day I check in what I will even get from the dining plan and it's too late at that point to get a refund. I'm sorry but that is not right.

I don't have a problem with the dining plan as it is now. It seems like when dealing with Disney there is no way to make an educated decision because either 1. What you are told may or may not be the correct info. 2. Even if it is the correct info. it can change 3. and even after it changes you still won't get the correct info. about the change 4. even if you do get the correct info about the change it could change again. 5. by the time you find out the real deal it's too late to back out.

If changes are going to be made those people that would be effected by the change should be notified in advance so they could make a decision as to whether they want to continue with that service or not. I don't think that is too much to ask.

Annie

 

[BethR]

It seems like when dealing with Disney there is no way to make an educated decision because either 1. What you are told may or may not be the correct info. 2. Even if it is the correct info. it can change 3. and even after it changes you still won't get the correct info. about the change 4. even if you do get the correct info about the change it could change again. 5. by the time you find out the real deal it's too late to back out.

As much as I love Disney, unfortunately I think that Annie's scenio is very true. I too am now a little nervous about going in the fall. I know that if we run into "You can't" "This has changed." "You are not allowed." "This is not included." that it will ruin what we were hoping to be a nice Anniversary trip for me and DH.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

That's my concern. Disney will get fed up and just can the plan or gut it to a simple discount plan. You pay $35 /day and the maximum you can spend of food is $45-$50. You're right the simplest solution, at least during free dining, is for Disney to just drop the expensive menu items and sidestep the entire issue.

There is no way Disney can continue to allow $10 child credits to be used for adult meals. It gets worse when waiters allow the guests to get lobster tail and shrimp add ons. When guests try to order an adult shrimp cocktail appetizer for a child. When guests don't understand why it's ok for a restaurant to exclude a few of the more expensive items from the plan.

I do agree with this. Once Disney isn't making a little profit or breaking even there's no way this can continue. However, one point you didn't address that is also a related problem is really a training/policy enforcement issue- that some CM's allowed that to happen without an extra charge because they weren't informed (or didn't read the cast info cards that each park makes available to them every day, or didn't pay attention to meetings) The real problem is the inconsistencies- some allowed things that never should have been allowed. Some pushed for larger orders to get larger tips but *never* informed guests that some items they were receiving were off the plan. Yes, Disney can change things, but at the time you are ordering what is covered and not covered should be made clear by CM's, not hidden in an attempt to make extra money. The *abuses* of the program came from both sides here.

As it was mentioned before, this isn't just the case in Dining. IMO, Disney needs to up their training and more directly supervise new CM's. A lot of things that would not have flown when I was a CM are going on and it's detracting from the overall experience. The communication between VP's and managers and managers and floor CM's needs to be seamless. No company can succeed without the majority of their staff being on the same page- following the same policies and rules. If there's a change all CM's must know it and repeat it and live it the day it goes into effect. Disney needs to stop the "give the CEO a raise every year" thing and start paying CM's better so they get more qualified and concerned CM's.

I, for one, would go down to Disney to be a CM again tomorrow if it paid the 42 k I make a year now.

My advice is- if you are on the dining plan, print out what it says online, ask about everything you order DIRECTLY before you place the order, ask for a manager if there is a problem, and if you want something that's not on the plan, just order it and pay the extra few dollars. If you are on the dining plan and require a low fat, nut free or diabetic dessert, call ahead to the restaurant and speak with the chef and see if he or she could do even a little fresh fruit plate or something that would fit your requirements on the plan. If not, I wouldn't hesitate to pay a little extra in a few cases since you are saving money overall.

Good luck!

 

[vatmark]

Betsy..I'm not an idiot and fully understand that Disney has a disclaimer saying they can change the plan at anytime. Everything in this world has some disclaimer saying they have the right to change this and that if they feel like it.

It comes down to what is ethical and what is fair. I realize people are going to try and abuse the system and it is fair for Disney to try and prevent this such as not pooling credits and having a distinction between child and adult credit. But you can't tell me that Disney did not know that there was $50 items on menus at some places and that people would order them. Now all of a sudden they are deciding to put a limit on what you can get and won't allow you to order something on the menu because it is $50 or because they don't want you having the more expensive dessert.

It seem to me that Disney is reeling people in and providing false information to get people to buy into the dining plan and then going and changing it because they can because of a disclaimer so it will benefit them even more then it does already.

Annie

 

[Lewisc]

I've read most of the posts on the dining plan. The overwhelming number of complaints are with parents who are concerned they won't be able to use child credits for adult meals and can longer order an adult appetizer for a child.

There are very few people who've posted being told something isn't covered under the plan and most of those are regarding non-Disney owned restaurants that are just excluding a few of the most expensive items. Some of the WS restaurants and the Pepper Market are about it. The Pepper Market is really in between a CS and TS restaurant and they seem to be allowing all of the entrées.

Disney already took items like the family meal off the menu at Cosmic Rays to avoid these kind of problems. The non-Disney restaurant have to either fine tune the menu or do a better job describing the limitations.

If you're not trying to work the plan and find the loopholes I wouldn't sweat it.

Betsy..I'm not an idiot and fully understand that Disney has a disclaimer saying they can change the plan at anytime. Everything in this world has some disclaimer saying they have the right to change this and that if they feel like it.

It comes down to what is ethical and what is fair. I realize people are going to try and abuse the system and it is fair for Disney to try and prevent this such as not pooling credits and having a distinction between child and adult credit. But you can't tell me that Disney did not know that there was $50 items on menus at some places and that people would order them. Now all of a sudden they are deciding to put a limit on what you can get and won't allow you to order something on the menu because it is $50 or because they don't want you having the more expensive dessert.

It seem to me that Disney is reeling people in and providing false information to get people to buy into the dining plan and then going and changing it because they can because of a disclaimer so it will benefit them even more then it does already.

Annie

 

[vatmark]

I'm not gonna sweat it. What ever happens happens. Will I be disappointed if we go and are very limited to what we can get...yes, but I won't let it ruin my vacation. Will someone at Disney get a letter after my vacation...yes, whether it does any good I don't care. I'll feel better just voicing my grievence.

Annie

 

[Carrie Ellis]

OH! Give it a break! I don't think most of us are "that" concerned over the appetizer for a child thing or using child credits. We are probably more concerned of the "devil we don't know". They sale you this plan w/ beautiful brochures, wonderful descriptions on their own website, and even have CMs telling you what you want to hear. Than, bam, things look like they might not be all that. That is called FALSE ADVERTISING. Then they charge you a $100 cancellation fee if you decide you do not want it anymore because they changed. Or, even worse, they will charge me $200 a week out. I knew the cancellation fees when I bought into it but I never imagined I would have to worry about my dining package! Otherwise I would have waited to add it on. I bought the trip insurance just to make sure none of us got hurt or sick. I hope disney does us right. I did have a level of expectation for disney and I hope I can keep that level because I have always loved disney. They did us right last year during the hurricane and I was proud of them.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

Does anyone else remember the good ol' days?

I remember going with my family as a child (1980s) and being encouraged by CM's to use THE PLAN with our Magic Kingdom Club cards to take advantage of all the benefits. We would water ski, take the old sprite boats out for hours, and eat to our hearts' content.

I remember dinners at the Contemporary Resorts' Gulf Coast Room and the Empress Lilly River Boat where everyone in our party ordered appetizers, soup AND salad, lobster entrees, souffles for dessert, and beverages. The bill for our family of 4 almost always topped $350. And that was after a full breakfast at the Top of the World and a full lunch in Epcot's World Showcase! (Yes, we all returned home 10 lbs. heavier after our 10 day vacation!)

In fact sometimes, my nephew (who was just three years younger than me) would join me for a lobster lunch at the Empress Lilly before we met back up with the parents for dinner. It felt like we were adults, even though we were only 10 and 13, because we would take our "charge cards" and go off on the monorail or a bus to discover the World.

Even my first trip back to Disney World as an adult (1992), we went in September and the CM's really encouraged us to use THE PLAN to its full extent. I remember calling from our hotel room to make a priority seating for one of the restaurants in World Showcase, and the CM said, "Victoria & Albert's is not officially on your plan, but it's our slow season. Would you like to dine there tonight?" And we did, on our plan!

All of the CM's really went out of their way from 1980 to 1992 to encourage us to use the benefits beyond even our wildest expectations.

Does anyone else remember travelling to Disney during that decade and having a similar experience? We saved thousands of dollars over the years. We never would have been able to experience all of the water sports, behind-the-scenes tours and dining experiences without this plan. Ahh, I remember the days....

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

I just noticed (on Disneyworld.com) one other change for 2006 - "dessert not available at breakfast" for counter service meals.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Now, I saw that too! hmmmm!

 

[vatmark]

OH! We are probably more concerned of the "devil we don't know". They sale you this plan w/ beautiful brochures, wonderful descriptions on their own website, and even have CMs telling you what you want to hear. Than, bam, things look like they might not be all that. That is called FALSE ADVERTISING. Then they charge you a $100 cancellation fee if you decide you do not want it anymore because they changed. Or, even worse, they will charge me $200 a week out. I knew the cancellation fees when I bought into it but I never imagined I would have to worry about my dining package! Otherwise I would have waited to add it on. QUOTE]


EXACTLY!!!!!!!

 

[tynesntx]

hi,
i have read some of your posts and am very curious, we are leaving next week and we have the dining plan and actually paid 750.00 for it. (it is killing me knowing we could have gotten the free dining by waiting one week, but we cant change dates) I think the 10 bucks for the kids is just a great deal appetizer or not, but i am concerned about them limiting items. is there a site or place where you can find out what has been limited and where?
thanks
tynesntx

 

[black562]

Has anyone been anywhere yet where they've limited your desserts?

I'm going for table service to Le Cellier, King Steffan's, Chef Mickeys (buffet), Ohana (I already know about the pinapple dessert deal), Sci Fi, and Concorse Steakhouse.

For counter service, its Tusker House, Columbia Harbour House, Electric Umbrella, and ABC Commissary. I only expect to be able to get a slice of apple pie or a cookie for dessert here and I'm fine with it.

I only hope we can get the slipper dessert at the Castle, which I'm told we can do at this point. Obviously I want to be able to choose something good from each table service and I never expected to order some big dessert sampler platter, just cheesecake, chocolate cake or something along those lines.

Thoughts?

 

[Mycroft]

I remember calling from our hotel room to make a priority seating for one of the restaurants in World Showcase, and the CM said, "Victoria & Albert's is not officially on your plan, but it's our slow season. Would you like to dine there tonight?" And we did, on our plan!
the days....

I'm so glad you posted this. I have been thinking the same thing. I went to Disney World for my Honeymoon in 1993 and felt the same way. As a matter of fact the same thing happened to me With V&A. On top of that it was Sunday when it happened and the suit that I brought was wrinkled badly because I wasn't careful re-packing it after the my cruise. All of the on-site dry cleaning was closed because it was Sunday, but the GF sent my suit to an outside dry cleaner, brought it back to my room and charged my only the standard valet rate for the service.

All of the nit-picking that seems to be going on with Disney’s current plans makes me truly sad. I purchase packages so I can have a stress free vacation without having to worry about what I can and cannot order. I'm not trying to take advantage of poor Disney; I just want Disney to do what they used to do best. Disney used to be in the business of making every guest feel like they were the most important person in the resort. I want to feel that way again.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Wow, if the menu said an item wasn't included or the waiter said there was an up-charge you'd order it and refuse to pay? That would make for a fun vacation. You'd have a point if the menu didn't say anything and the waiter was silent when you ordered the item, assuming you didn't lie when he asked if you were on the dining plan.

By ordering the item anyway even after being informed of the upcharge, one has legally and morally agreed to the upcharge. If one does not agree to the upcharge, one works out the pricing dispute before ordering the item.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Does anyone else remember the good ol' days?

I remember going with my family as a child (1980s) and being encouraged by CM's to use THE PLAN with our Magic Kingdom Club cards to take advantage of all the benefits. We would water ski, take the old sprite boats out for hours, and eat to our hearts' content.

I remember dinners at the Contemporary Resorts' Gulf Coast Room and the Empress Lilly River Boat where everyone in our party ordered appetizers, soup AND salad, lobster entrees, souffles for dessert, and beverages. The bill for our family of 4 almost always topped $350. And that was after a full breakfast at the Top of the World and a full lunch in Epcot's World Showcase! (Yes, we all returned home 10 lbs. heavier after our 10 day vacation!)

In fact sometimes, my nephew (who was just three years younger than me) would join me for a lobster lunch at the Empress Lilly before we met back up with the parents for dinner. It felt like we were adults, even though we were only 10 and 13, because we would take our "charge cards" and go off on the monorail or a bus to discover the World.

Even my first trip back to Disney World as an adult (1992), we went in September and the CM's really encouraged us to use THE PLAN to its full extent. I remember calling from our hotel room to make a priority seating for one of the restaurants in World Showcase, and the CM said, "Victoria & Albert's is not officially on your plan, but it's our slow season. Would you like to dine there tonight?" And we did, on our plan!

All of the CM's really went out of their way from 1980 to 1992 to encourage us to use the benefits beyond even our wildest expectations.

Does anyone else remember travelling to Disney during that decade and having a similar experience? We saved thousands of dollars over the years. We never would have been able to experience all of the water sports, behind-the-scenes tours and dining experiences without this plan. Ahh, I remember the days....

Don't they still sell an all inclusive package? It costs about twice as much as the MYW package but it was still available when I got my planning DVD.